Core Viewpoint - Trump's dissatisfaction with Powell and the Federal Reserve is rooted in the economic challenges facing the U.S., including high debt and low growth, leading to calls for interest rate cuts [1][3][5] Group 1: Economic Conditions - The U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.5% in Q1 2025, with unemployment rising to 4.2%, indicating a failure of Trump's tax cuts to stimulate growth [1][5] - High tariffs and interest rates have contributed to rising import prices and suppressed corporate financing, resulting in a manufacturing PMI below the growth threshold for three consecutive months [7] - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the "Big and Beautiful Act" will increase the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade due to a $4.5 trillion revenue loss from tax cuts [5][7] Group 2: Federal Reserve's Response - Powell emphasized that the Federal Reserve's decisions are based on inflation, employment, and growth data, rejecting political pressure from Trump [3] - The independence of the Federal Reserve is protected by the Federal Reserve Act and Supreme Court rulings, but Trump's team is attempting to challenge this independence [3][5] - Concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact on the dollar's dominance if the Federal Reserve succumbs to political pressure [3] Group 3: Market Implications - The current economic situation, characterized by high debt-to-GDP ratios and persistent deficits, raises concerns about a potential liquidity crisis in the U.S. debt market, which has reached $35 trillion [9] - Historical precedents indicate that conflicts between the White House and the Federal Reserve can lead to significant market volatility [9] - If fiscal and monetary policies diverge for more than six months, the yield curve could invert by up to 150 basis points, posing systemic risks to financial markets [9]

Group 1 - Japan's exports have declined for the second consecutive month, raising concerns about a potential technical recession in the country [1] - In June, Japan's export value fell by 0.5% year-on-year, contrasting sharply with economists' expectations of a 0.5% increase, following a 1.7% decline in May [1] - Exports to the U.S. saw a significant drop of 11.4% year-on-year, with automotive exports plummeting by 26.7% [1][2] Group 2 - The automotive industry, a cornerstone of Japan's exports to the U.S., is facing severe pressure due to trade tensions, with a 25% tariff imposed on Japanese cars since April 3 [2] - In June, the value of automotive exports to the U.S. fell by 26.7%, worsening from a 24.7% decline in May [2] Group 3 - Japan's chief negotiator, Akizawa Ryo, emphasized that any trade agreement must include favorable terms for the automotive sector, which is central to the negotiations [6] - There is a perception that Japan's rigid stance in negotiations may have led to a missed opportunity for a more favorable tariff rate [7]

Group 1 - Trump's recent announcement of imposing tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on 14 countries, including Japan and South Korea, starting August 1, has escalated global trade tensions [1][5][7] - The underlying motive behind Trump's tariff policy appears to be aimed at pressuring China by constricting trade opportunities for its neighboring countries, which are significant for China's export costs and supply chain efficiency [5][20] - The U.S. economy is facing challenges, with the first quarter GDP showing contraction and predictions for the second quarter being pessimistic, indicating a potential technical recession [7][20] Group 2 - U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent's unexpected friendly overtures towards China, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation, suggest underlying anxieties within the U.S. administration [11][13] - The U.S. has been attempting to exert pressure on China regarding rare earth resources, but China's strengthened export controls have enhanced its leverage in the global rare earth market [13][16] - China's response to U.S. pressures has been measured, maintaining control over rare earth resources while allowing some U.S. companies access to its market, showcasing its confidence and patience [16][22] Group 3 - The ongoing trade rivalry between the U.S. and China is far from over, with rare earth issues likely to remain a central topic in negotiations, where China's control gives it a favorable position [20][22] - The potential rifts in U.S. relations with traditional allies may provide China with more diplomatic space, as countries like Japan and South Korea might seek a balanced approach with China amid economic pressures [22]

Core Insights - The likelihood of a technical recession in Thailand remains low according to the central bank's meeting minutes [1] - A significant decline in exports is anticipated in the second half of the year due to U.S. tariffs [1] Economic Outlook - The central bank indicates that the risk of a technical recession is minimal, suggesting stability in the domestic economy [1] - The impact of U.S. tariffs is expected to lead to a substantial contraction in exports, which could affect overall economic performance [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Thailand's meeting minutes indicate that the likelihood of a technical recession in the near term remains low [1] Economic Outlook - The central bank noted that economic growth is expected to continue, supported by domestic consumption and tourism recovery [1] - Inflation is projected to stabilize, with the central bank maintaining its target range [1] Monetary Policy - The Bank of Thailand is likely to continue its gradual interest rate hikes to manage inflation while supporting economic growth [1] - The central bank emphasized the importance of monitoring global economic conditions and their potential impact on Thailand's economy [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a concerning trend in the U.S. economy, indicating that personal income and spending have declined, suggesting a potential technical recession [1] Economic Indicators - Personal income was expected to grow by approximately 0.3%, but instead, it has shown negative growth [1] - Personal spending figures are also disappointing, reflecting a negative growth trend [1] Economic Outlook - The decline in personal income and spending raises the likelihood of an economic slowdown in the second quarter, potentially leading to negative economic activity [1] - Aside from the core PCE data being slightly above expectations, there were no other surprises in inflation, indicating a broader economic weakness [1] - Overall signs point to a weakening economy, with the possibility that it has already entered a technical recession [1]

Group 1 - Xiaomi's stock price surged over 10% following the launch of its first SUV, the Xiaomi YU7, which received over 289,000 pre-orders within an hour [3] - The standard version of the Xiaomi YU7 is priced at 253,500 yuan, while the Pro and Max versions are priced at 279,900 yuan and 329,900 yuan respectively [3] - Xiaomi's founder and CEO Lei Jun expressed excitement over the overwhelming demand for the SUV, emphasizing the importance of product quality and timely delivery [3] Group 2 - The U.S. stock market saw a collective rise, with the Dow Jones increasing by approximately 300 points and both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 rising by about 0.6% [4] - The S&P 500 index is nearing its historical high, hovering around 6,130 points, just shy of the record 6,144.15 points set on February 19 [4] - Economic data has shown mixed results, with a notable decline in consumer spending growth, leading to a downward revision of the U.S. GDP annual growth rate to -0.5% [4] Group 3 - Investors are optimistic about the upcoming earnings season, with expectations for profit growth to exceed forecasts and for GDP growth to return to positive territory [5] - The market is closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts, with traders anticipating up to three rate cuts this year [4][6] - The core PCE price index, a preferred inflation measure by the Federal Reserve, is expected to show a modest increase, indicating low inflation levels [7]

Group 1 - Japan's economy is facing significant challenges, with exports dropping by 1.7% year-on-year to 81,350 billion yen, marking an eight-month low [1] - The trade deficit has widened to 637.6 billion yen, indicating a potential technical recession as it has recorded deficits for two consecutive months [2] - The first quarter GDP decreased by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, translating to an annualized decline of 0.7%, raising concerns about economic confidence [2] Group 2 - The decline in exports is heavily influenced by the U.S. tariff policies, which have imposed a 25% tariff on imported cars and parts, and a 10% tariff on other Japanese goods [4] - Exports to the U.S. fell by 11.1%, while exports to China decreased by 8.8%, highlighting the adverse effects of these tariffs on Japan's export market [4] - The Japanese government attempted to negotiate a new trade agreement with the U.S. in June 2025, but these talks ended without success, leading to a restoration of the 10% tariff to 24% on July 9, 2025 [5] Group 3 - Japan's economic issues are compounded by structural weaknesses, including high inflation that erodes purchasing power and insufficient domestic demand [5] - The over-reliance on exports has left Japan vulnerable to international market fluctuations, exacerbated by global economic downturns such as U.S.-China trade tensions and a sluggish European economy [5] - The current economic situation reflects deeper contradictions in Japan's trade strategy and domestic economic structure, necessitating significant reforms to navigate future challenges [7]

Core Viewpoint - Thailand is facing a new political crisis that threatens its economy, which is already on the brink of a technical recession, necessitating a potential interest rate cut by the central bank to stabilize the situation [1] Economic Situation - Thailand's economy is at risk due to ongoing political instability and the impact of the global trade war [1] - The country experienced lower economic growth last year compared to neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore [1] Political Context - The current Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, is facing internal divisions within the ruling coalition, which could lead to legislative stagnation and affect trade negotiations with the United States [1] - The previous Prime Minister was ousted by a court ruling, and her father was overthrown in a military coup, highlighting the political volatility [1] Recommendations - Mizuho Bank's macro research head for Asia, Vishnu Varathan, suggests that the Bank of Thailand may need to accelerate interest rate cuts by 50 to 75 basis points to boost economic confidence [1] - There is an urgent need for additional stimulus measures due to weakened business confidence and fragile market sentiment [1]

Group 1 - Japan's economy is facing significant challenges due to tariffs imposed by the United States, with May exports declining by 1.7% year-on-year, marking the first drop in eight months, and exports to the U.S. falling by 11.1% [1] - The trade deficit for Japan reached 637.6 billion yen in May, continuing a trend of deficits for the second consecutive month, with exports to the U.S. and China both experiencing notable declines [1] - The decline in exports, particularly in automobiles, steel, and mineral fuels, raises concerns about a potential technical recession in Japan's economy for the second quarter [1] Group 2 - Japan's government is under pressure to reach a trade agreement with the Trump administration by July 9, or face a 24% "reciprocal tariff" [3] - The automotive sector is crucial for Japan's export-driven economy, with automotive exports accounting for approximately 28% of the total goods exported to the U.S. last year [3] - The Bank of Japan is closely monitoring the economic impact of tariffs, with the first quarter showing a 0.2% contraction in real GDP, and there is uncertainty regarding future interest rate hikes due to the ongoing tariff situation [3][4]